Helping A Depressed Loved One

If you've ever had a depressed friend or loved one, you know how difficult it is to deal with. Support and encouragement are essential to recovering from depression.

It’s very important that you don’t make light of the disease. Our first reaction to someone who expresses misery or unhappiness is often "oh, c'mon, it's not that bad!" To a person with depression, that harmless little phrase tells them that their feelings aren't important, their problems will never be understood and they themselves aren't valuable. By validating their feelings and listening to their concerns, no matter how petty they seem, you're comforting them and even giving them confidence.

Another temptation to avoid is pointing out that they have it pretty darn good compared to the rest of the world. It may be hard not to insert some harsh reality when a depressed loved one is citing their concerns but it will do nothing but discourage them from sharing their feelings. When a person is depressed, they can't care about the world around them. They truly want to but all their energies are sapped by their illness. Until they begin to improve, they literally can't afford to address larger concerns.

If a person you care about it depressed and not in treatment, the best thing you could do to support them is see that they receive the help they need. Many people don't seek help because they think it will go away on its own. That's true if they are simply down in the dumps but if they’re in such a state for more than two weeks it’s essential that they see a physician and get a proper diagnosis.

While in treatment for depression, be sure that you encourage your loved one to stick with it, even if they're feeling better. Many patients stop treatment as they begin to recover, only to sink back into the same condition. Make sure that they take any medication they’ve been given and follow their provider's instructions regarding it. They may forget they've taken their medicine or double up when they miss a dose. This can not only be a setback in their recovery but can be dangerous, too.

We all want patience, understanding and love but victims of depression are in dire need of these three simple things. They can make the difference between a slow and painful recovery and a relatively quick path to better mental health.